What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2015 Subaru Forester

Typical pattern

8.6% of complaints about the 2015 Subaru Forester came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2015 vehicle — around the middle of the 195 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 4.9 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (130 complaints), typically at 4.6 yr or about 47,000 miles.

Complaints
884
Median age at failure
4.9 yr
Median mileage
44,000 n=593
Crash / fire / tow
13.2% of reports
Safety recalls
3

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
130 reports · 47,000 mi
4.6 yr
13.8%
Air bags
111 reports · 72,000 mi
6.3 yr
14.4%
Power train
93 reports · 53,002 mi
5.4 yr
8.6%
Electrical system
80 reports · 40,000 mi
4.7 yr
5%
Other
72 reports · 41,000 mi
4.8 yr
9.7%
Speed control
71 reports · 35,000 mi
4.2 yr
39.4%
Suspension
66 reports · 52,120 mi
4.9 yr
3%
Fuel / propulsion
55 reports · 50,000 mi
4.7 yr
9.1%
Service brakes
33 reports · 37,500 mi
3.2 yr
12.1%
Structure
21 reports · 32,858 mi
4.3 yr
57.1%
Visibility / wipers
21 reports · 27,000 mi
4.1 yr
0%
Seats
21 reports · 65,000 mi
6.4 yr
9.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V701000 2019-10-03
Air bags:sensor:occupant classification

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Forester vehicles equipped with heated seats. An electrical connection in the front passenger seat for the Occupant Detection System (ODS) may loosen.

If the connection loosens, the front passenger airbag may deactivate even though the seat is occupied, increasing the risk of injury to the front passenger in the event of a crash.

19V149000 2019-02-28
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain 2014-2016 Forester, 2008-2016 Impreza sedans, 2012-2016 Impreza station wagons, 2008-2014 WRX sedans (including STI), and 2013-2017 Crosstrek vehicles. Exposure to certain contaminants may cause the brake light switch to malfunction, preventing the brake lights from illuminating and also preventing keyless ignition vehicles from starting and CVT/automatic transmissions from being able to be shifted out of Park.

Brake lights that do not illuminate properly will not alert other drivers that the vehicle is slowing or stopping, increasing the risk of crash.

16V162000 2016-03-21
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger

Subaru of America, Inc. (Subaru) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 WRX vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 21, 2015, and Forester 2.0XT vehicles manufactured April 10, 2015, to October 20, 2015. The turbocharger air intake duct may crack and possibly result in an engine stall.

An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Structure 7,500 mi 1 mo in service crash / fire / tow
THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT RUNNING IN PARK ON A SLIGHT UPHILL GRADE IN A PRIVATE DRIVEWAY WHILE THE DRIVER RAN INTO THE HOUSE TO DROP SOMETHING OFF. SHE CAME RIGHT OUT OF THE HOUSE TO FIND THAT THE VEHICLE DROVE ITSELF FORWARD UP THE GRADE INTO A GARAGE DOOR. IT WAS STILL RUNNING IN PARK WEDGED INTO THE GARAGE DOOR. ONLY MINOR DAMAGE WAS CAUSED TO THE FRONT BUMPER AND GARAGE DOOR. *TR
Structure 15,720 mi 7 mo in service crash / fire / tow
VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVER WAS PARKING WHILE APPLYING BRAKES. VEHICLE HIT HOUSE AND PORCH, SHEARING OFF THE GAS METER WHERE IT MEETS THE UNDERGROUND LINE. EYESIGHT OBJECT DETECTION SYSTEM DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE.
Structure 9,673 mi 2.0 yr in service crash / fire / tow
WHILE PARKING AND APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. MY WIFE WAS PARKING THE CAR AND WHILE PULLING INTO THE PARKING STALL SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND RAMMED INTO A STEEL CABLE THAT SEPARATED THE PARKING STALLS.
Speed control 2,500 mi 2 mo in service crash / fire / tow
I WAS TURNING INTO MY PARKING SPACE AT MY CONDO, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER THE CAR STOP AND THE SIDEWALK AND FINALLY STOPPED WHEN I HIT A WALL AND PALM TREE. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE, BUT IT WOULD NOT STOP. I KEPT THINKING "WHY ISN'T IT STOPPING". I KNOW I WAS GOING SLOW BECAUSE I HAVE TO MAKE A TURN TO GO INTO MY SPACE, AND AS MY NEIGHBORS SAID, I NEVER DRIVE FAST COMING INTO THE PARKING LOT. *TR

Other Forester model years

2025202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009200620052004200320022001200019991998

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